The second round of insurance exchange grants will allow the state board to hire more staff and contract with all-important tech and benefits vendors to shape the online guts of the plan.

Under the national health reform act signed in 2010, individuals and small businesses are to start buying health plans through the exchanges in late 2013 to take effect Jan. 1, 2014. Federal subsidies depending on income level could extend insurance to millions more Americans.

"We're delighted to receive the grant and look forward to working with key stakeholders to make sure the exchange is something that makes a lot of sense for Colorado," said Patty Fontneau, chief executive of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange.' (For the full story click the Source.)